Can there be too much choice? (modifying comparatives)

Richard | Apr 24, 2026Apr 24, 2026

LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

• talk about the buyer’s journey and evaluate product quality;
• practise modifying comparatives;
• watch funny videos comparing two game console options;
• role-play debating the value of a product or service.

In this lesson, students discuss the journey from choosing to buying a product. They share their shopping habits, watch a humorous video where a man buys a game console and read about the paradox of choice and analysis paralysis. Students explore products and brand value, work with modifying comparatives (e.g. by far, somewhat, almost identical) and practise comparing various products and services. They also work in pairs, persuading one another of a product’s value.

WARM-UP AND VIDEO

This lesson focuses on modifying comparatives and starts with a warm-up. Students choose a category (e.g. sportswear, perfume, holidays) and talk about the journey from choosing a product to buying it. After that, they discuss questions about personal shopping habits and brand choices. Moving on, students watch the first video where a man buys a game console and chooses between two models. They guess which points (e.g. the colour of the game console) make the choice difficult. Then, students watch the video and check their answers. Afterwards, they watch the second video and answer questions by choosing the correct options. Next, students read the definitions of the paradox of choice and analysis paralysis. They then discuss questions about personal experiences with choice overload. 

MODIFYING COMPARATIVES AND ROLE-PLAY

In this part of the lesson, students read statements about products and services featuring modifying comparatives (e.g. considerably, slightly, exactly the same). Students guess what is being offered in the descriptions. After that, they review the words and phrases from the previous task and put them into the correct categories (e.g. describing a big difference, describing a small difference or describing no difference) in a table. Moving on, students complete sentences about the pros and cons of different market options by choosing the correct comparatives. Following that, they compare pairs of different products and services using the target words and phrases from the lesson. Afterwards, students say which one they would choose in each pair. Finally, they look at a selection of items. In pairs, students try to convince their partner that their product or service offers the best deal, using the modifying comparatives from the lesson. 

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students complete the gaps in sentences, creating modifying comparatives. They then rewrite three of the sentences to make them true for them. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.

WORKSHEETS

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